A full day sightseeing Fés today. We met up with Abdul, our local guide at 9a and started at the Royal Palace (just a look at the outer gates), a walk along a tiny bit of the 14km wall surrounding the Old City, a stop at a fort overlooking the Medina for a panoramic view, then a visit to a pottery and tile cooperative. There was no high pressure sales push at the end yet several of our group are having treasures shipped home!

Then we dove into the Medina itself. We were warned to not make eye contact with beggars and to stay put if we get separated from the group – 99% of the time they’ll find us! Abdul kept us on a tight schedule so barreling thru plus the elbow bumping prevented many good photos but I’ll have the memories….

Each alley had its own product to sell: food, yarn, clothes, metalwork, tailors, crap, etc. and it was not touristy, except for all the tourists, most of the stuff was there for the locals to buy. UNESCO has poured a lot of money into restoring the Medina so it was in very good nick.

After our Medina tour Melita, Eliza and I had to hurry back to the hotel as we had a hamman experience booked. Basically it’s a massage with fragrant oil followed by a wash, steam, loofah, and soak, except that you’re helpless through the whole affair – an attendant is ministering, splashing, scrubbing and dousing you while you close your eyes, hold your nose and wonder what’s coming next. Of course these ladies in their sports bras and bicycle shorts don’t speak English other than “Ok?” so you’re entirely at their mercy. I emerged pink and clean and relaxed as a wet noodle! Pot noodles and a glass of wine in my room and I called it a night!